Sawtooth Spire Duracell Rabbit

"Okay, see you," Elfie told meekly and watched the girl go away. The conversation had not gone well at all, looking back none of his attempts to connect with packmates or other people had been smooth or easy. He had been embarrassed with Arlette, failed to play games with Stag, been unable to talk with Quellcrist as a normal person. He was sure there were quite a few more that he could not recall by name.

The longer he dwelled on this thought, the more keenly he realized, how very much he missed Maegi with whom he had been able to talk freely and have mutual silences and complete understanding. He had not had to pretend in her presence that he was okay and well. Or Mou, who did not speak at all and who did not expect anything extraordinary for him either. 

Mahler was okay too, but they would never be true friends. Age gap and the fact that he was dependant on the mercy of the man would always stand between Elfie and the old general. To sum it up - he was lonely. So much that it hurt and long after the girl had left, Elfie lied there with all the sadness of the world in his eyes, quiet tears rolling down her cheeks.